Almost every critical threat improvement I've seen specifies that it doesn't stack with anything else, which leaves me with the question: If the highest chance to cause a critical threat you can achieve is a 15% chance (17-20) is a build focused on critical hits even viable? Can one produce an effective build based around critical hits?
Crit question
- Thread starter Theroc
- Start date
It depends upon what you mean by "effective."
A warrior with a weapon that does decent damage (or one who gets and lands multiple attacks) and has a high crit mod, along with crit-triggered effects can decide a combat quite quickly.
However, it is (obviously) not dependable damage.
A warrior with a weapon that does decent damage (or one who gets and lands multiple attacks) and has a high crit mod, along with crit-triggered effects can decide a combat quite quickly.
However, it is (obviously) not dependable damage.
Any build that gives you extra attacks will increase your chances of landing a critical hit, so it is perfectly viable when combined with a two weapon fighter or a double weapon fighter, as they will get more attacks than the norm. If you've got a 20% chance of a crit (17-20) and 5 or 6 attacks, you're likely scoring a crit every time you full attack.
And, I think you can get a 15-20 crit range with a keen rapier (which is normally 18-20) or a keen elven thin blade (also 18-20)
I believe the Jovar is in that range as well...
Hm... this partially explains my confusion. I thought effects such as Keen and Improved critical just went from 18-20 to 17-20 or 19-20 to 18-20.
If the effect is greater than that, then I've misread and makes the crit seem less an impossible thing, lol. Granted, one must still confirm after the threatened hit.
If the effect is greater than that, then I've misread and makes the crit seem less an impossible thing, lol. Granted, one must still confirm after the threatened hit.
Dragonwriter
First Post
And the Falchion, for going 2-handed, and without spending a feat.
Personally, I like the Elven Lightblades (CW) for TWF. Light, 1d6, 18-20 range.
But basically, increasing the number of attacks in addition to the threat range is the way to improve criticals. The Shou Disciple can help with that, as I understand (flurry of blows with weapons, as I recall; only heard about it), as can Whirling Frenzy Barbarian ACF (Unearthed Arcana/SRD). Slashing Flurry (PH2) deserves a slight mention, but requires some Fighter levels and the penalty is rather steep (-5 to all attacks for 1 extra? No thanks).
Also, from what I understand as I don't have the book, the Disciple of Dispater PrC from the Book of Vile Darkness (I think...) doubled threat range and stacked with similar effects, like Keen or Improved Critical. But your character has to be a devil-worshipper to do that...
Well, the concept I tend to stick to a crit-style build is rogue/assassin types. So, I'd be looking at that sort of option. High-crit sneak attacks for a very rapid kill.
In anycase, I've no actual real concept in mind, just wondering if semi-consistant criticals were a possibility or not. A 15-20 crit range sounds like one who doesn't have absolutely horrendous luck would at least fairly consistantly threaten criticals.
In anycase, I've no actual real concept in mind, just wondering if semi-consistant criticals were a possibility or not. A 15-20 crit range sounds like one who doesn't have absolutely horrendous luck would at least fairly consistantly threaten criticals.
Dragonwriter
First Post
If you're going with a Sneak Attack base, try to get the Telling Blow feat from PH2. It adds your sneak attack damage to all confirmed crits.
Also, Power Critical (CW) will help you confirm crits (+4 bonus on the roll), though you have to take Weapon Focus to qualify for it.
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